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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I going crazy? Little scenarios that my bf makes me feel like I’m going crazy

168 replies

Confusedlady600 · 05/02/2026 08:31

My boyfriend and I have been absolutely fine and happy for a year and a half.

He cheated on me last November by kissing someone else. It broke me. When I found out he completely tried to turn it around on me accused me of possibly speaking to another guy. There has been times he seems very jealous but then he back tracks on it. So if I go out with friends he messages me through out the evening and then has before asked me if I pulled!? He’s also been funny with me about my male gardener who he says in the past and before his cheating he thinks I fancy or I flirt with him, there isn’t we just get on.

I don’t need relationship advice I think I know what I need to do (leave) I just need advice on whether I’m going crazy or not or this is actually how I am seeing it.

So for example….
My boyfriend was working yesterday and I was off for the day. Yesterday the gardener came at 9am for his regular maintenance in garden, I said hi made him a tea and then went to my friends house for a coffee at 9.30 and was there until 12, she doesn’t have good signal in her area, so couldn’t message bf in that time. I went home briefly, I messaged my bf in reply to his message asking how my day was at 12.20 and then I accidentally (and it really was an accident) left my phone at home while I quickly went to Costa to get myself some lunch (I don’t do this often just a treat as I was off for the day) When I got home I had a few messages from bf so I called him. He was fine but a little off with me, he then mentioned he had been in the area of the house in the afternoon but couldn’t let me know because I hadn’t responded to his messages, it was a random statement. He then questioned me about the gardener and it felt a bit off but then he changed the subject so I assumed he accepted what I had said. Later on I messaged him and said do you believe me about the gardener situation and he replied saying
“No I don't believe you but it's fine xxxxx
All morning I didn't hear from you from when he got to yours that’s suspicious xxxxx”
I replied saying I was at my friends house in the morning and didn’t have signal and then I went to Costa and left my phone at home. He said
“You were definitely shady today xxxxx you never forget your phone.”
I replied saying I did forget my phone. And I wasn’t being shady.
He said “It’s fine just be honest xxxxxxx I wont be bothered xxxxxx”
I replied saying I was being honest and then I sent him my driving app map as it shows where I’ve been in the day so showed that I had been at my friends in the morning. And I showed messages from someone I had bumped into at Costa as well.
Then out of no where he then says “I was only joking with you. I believe you. Just messing with you”

Now little things like this happen often where he back tracks but I don’t believe he was actually joking in this moment. I think he fully was trying to get me to admit something and didn’t believe me. And then when I provided proof he then backtracked so he didn’t look jealous!? Am I reading into this? Or was he actually joking!?

It’s little things like this happening often that are starting to make me feel a bit crazy. I know it’s only a small scenario but it’s often things like this happen and it makes me feel horrible being accused of things I haven’t done.

OP posts:
Superscientist · 05/02/2026 10:58

In nearly 20 years I've never had to show my partner the GPS on my phone to show where I have been an when. I frequently don't have my phone on me and the only time he's got cross about that was when it meant her had to walk back to work and then home again in a thunderstorm as he'd left his keys at work. I was home and could have let him in and then driven him back to work. Once he had dried off and had a cup of tea all was forgiven!
We do joke about the milkman or only fans accounts but it is definitely very jokey and both of us are smiley and laughing throughout. It is very light-hearted and never would either of us feel the need to justify one anothers actions.

When someone shows you who they are listen. Also, even if it's only a joke and he doesn't mean it. Do you want to be in a relationship where you are having to justify all your movements. To prove where you were to play along with his "joke". How you feeling right now, is that how you want to keep feeling?

FlowerFairyDaisy · 05/02/2026 10:59

I had this with an ex.. Used to check I was at work when I said I was at work, accused me of affairs etc.. It used too give me this weird, rising feeling in my stomach (that I have never been able to name! I think the closest word is dread) even though I had done nothing wrong.

It's no way to live and you would be happier without him.

TreeDudette · 05/02/2026 11:02

It's not you, he is being totally unreasonable jealous and controlling. This shit only gets worse. The fact that he also cheated on you clearly shows what is driving his behaviour. He would (and does) if he could so he thinks you would also take every opportunity to cheat. He is nasty and yucky, have higher standards for yourself and get rid of the slime ball!

BillieWiper · 05/02/2026 11:06

He's a cunt. It matters not one jot what he thinks. He cheated, you didn't. Your mistake was taking him back when you found out. He's probably still doing it. Which is fine because you are going to dump him today, right?

muddyford · 05/02/2026 11:10

Dump ASAP.

Shedmistress · 05/02/2026 11:12

Confusedlady600 · 05/02/2026 08:35

When he does things like this, is he actually joking!? Or is he just being controlling and jealous and then backtracking when I’ve provided proof of where I’ve been.

Joking is 'pull my finger' and when they pull your finger, you let out a little fart.

This is not joking.

Horses7 · 05/02/2026 11:13

🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
RUN!!!!

JoWilkinsonsno1fan · 05/02/2026 11:16

You are rightly leaving him so no advice is needed- he is a controlling, nasty, manipulative piece of shit!! who is playing games, he isn’t joking he is trying to catch you out!!

Read your post back whats all the ‘I accidentally left my phone at home’ you can do what you like you can turn your phone off, leave it anywhere you like - you do not need to dance to his controlling, pathetic tune!

Please run now and do not look back, tell him today and look afterward yourself xx

WrylyAmused · 05/02/2026 11:19

@Confusedlady600

Please don't, in a future relationship, after you've dumped this arsehole, get drawn into justifying yourself as you were here.

"You didn't answer your messages/you were being shady"
"No, I was just busy/forgot my phone/didn't feel like replying in that moment"
"I don't believe you"
"Ok. I know I'm telling the truth, so that's a you problem. If you don't trust me, this relationship needs to end. You're not my parent, I'm not a child, I'm not going to justify myself to you in an equal relationship"

He sounds like a classic case of projecting the shit he does (cheating/flirting/whatever), onto you. Be aware of that one too!

ChikinLikin · 05/02/2026 11:20

dizzydizzydizzy · 05/02/2026 08:44

You're not going crazy. Follow your instincts and leave.

Agree.
You need to break up sooner rather than later.
Or you will end up crazy.
Don't bother to analyse his behaviour. Just get rid.

TemperanceBooth · 05/02/2026 11:22

He is not joking op. He's judging you by his own shitty standards and it's making him jealous, insecure and controlling.

I'm glad you realise you need to leave.

Zov · 05/02/2026 11:26

Oh man, you need to end this relationship. It's not going anywhere good anytime soon.

DannyDeever · 05/02/2026 11:27

Confusedlady600 · 05/02/2026 08:35

When he does things like this, is he actually joking!? Or is he just being controlling and jealous and then backtracking when I’ve provided proof of where I’ve been.

He's not joking he was genuinely jealous.

Jealousy sucks, but it's fairly normal and suggests he does actually like you.

So you'll have to decide if this level of jealously is tolerable.

TinyCottageGirl · 05/02/2026 11:28

He kissed someone else and you've decided to stay with him - why? He seems too intense and obviously there are trust issues, he probably won't change. Do you want to be with someone constantly questioning what you say?

GlasgowGal2014 · 05/02/2026 11:34

I think he's cheating on you and he's trying to make himself better by convincing himself that you're probably cheating on him too. LTB.

Fernticket · 05/02/2026 11:36

Confusedlady600 · 05/02/2026 08:35

When he does things like this, is he actually joking!? Or is he just being controlling and jealous and then backtracking when I’ve provided proof of where I’ve been.

He is being controlling and jealous. Dump him!
Ignore him when he starts saying you have lost it or your crazy.

Purplecatshopaholic · 05/02/2026 11:45

This guy is no good op. Hes a gaslighting, controlling individual, who will make you feel shit about yourself, while he is busy doing what he is accusing you of (cheating). You deserve so much better, please get rid.

Grammarnut · 05/02/2026 11:46

Coercive control. Your instinct to leave is correct. Your boyfriend is gaslighting you into doubting yourself, classic narcissistic abuse.

eventhekitchensink · 05/02/2026 11:48

Run!!!

Bertiebiscuit · 05/02/2026 11:59

Men like him with such fragile egos and disrespectful of women usually end up hurting women, leave him as soon as you can and tell your female friends and female family members, any women that you trust, all about him, and build yourself a safe environment away from him. He will only get worse

Springisintheairohyeah · 05/02/2026 12:02

That's not okay, he is a manipulative little man child and this sounds like the first steps of coercive control. Leave now and don't look back

tipsyraven · 05/02/2026 12:04

Confusedlady600 · 05/02/2026 08:35

When he does things like this, is he actually joking!? Or is he just being controlling and jealous and then backtracking when I’ve provided proof of where I’ve been.

It doesn’t matter. If it makes you feel horrible it isn’t ok. I can’t understand why you are still with this man. I would dump someone the first time I felt I had to show proof of where I’d been.

Rosesanddaffs · 05/02/2026 12:05

Confusedlady600 · 05/02/2026 08:35

When he does things like this, is he actually joking!? Or is he just being controlling and jealous and then backtracking when I’ve provided proof of where I’ve been.

@Confusedlady600 he isn’t joking, he’s being a controlling arsehole.

Put a stop to this before it gets even worse

OnlyFannys · 05/02/2026 12:06

Just reading his replies made me feel quite anxious for you OP. This is a nasty, controlling man. I hope this thread gives you the reassurance you need and that you walk away from the relationship

BMW6 · 05/02/2026 12:08

I think he's a player.

If you stay with him you're in for misery and destroyed self esteem.

Do yourself a huge favour.